Eight Intertwined

14 - Olberic

War is hell, and the battlefield is a fragment of the inferno. 

This was one truth that Olberic Eisenberg had come to be well-acquainted with over his years as a soldier and knight. Combat became easier with time, but the fact remained that there was always the threat of harm coming from some angle or another. Danger was never far from Olberic's mind, and he did what he could to fend it off. 

His blade flashed as he navigated his way through the outskirts of Hornburg, the proud city that he had called his home since the day that he was born. His hair, a deep brown color, was combed close to his face to keep from getting in the way of his flashing blade. Olberic's skin, lightly tinted brown, seemed darker than usual under the influence of the cloudy skies overhead. His eyes were a dark brown color as well, and they scanned the battlefield without any hesitation. That was the least that he could do to ensure that he kept his life in the midst of combat. He wore the typical blue clothing found on knights within Hornburg. Even if it was optional among the highest-ranking soldiers such as Olberic himself, he wore the colors with pride. He wanted the world to know that he was a knight of Hornburg, and nothing was going to stop him from displaying such a fact with endless pride in his heart. 

The attack had come by surprise, but Olberic was still doing his best to fight through it. He had no idea where the enemy soldiers had come from or who they were. Their armor was dark and nondescript, and Olberic didn't see much of a point to trying to pick out details from afar. Surviving had to be his first priority for the time being. He would be able to gather information after the fact, but that would be impossible if he didn't properly defend himself. 

A group of roughly eight enemy soldiers had cornered Olberic before he registered what was happening, and they all watched him with the same gaze that a hungry beast would give to its prey. He didn't care much for their expressions specifically, instead simply surging forward and slashing with as much force as he could muster. The leading soldier stumbled backwards, and the others followed him, suddenly seeming to realize that Olberic was not a man to be trifled with. 

"Hells, is he man or beast?!" the leading soldier cried out to no one in particular. Another of his men surged forward to try and attack Olberic in a show of boldness, but he wasn't able to get far. With a single swing of his sword, Olberic stole life from the soldier, and the man collapsed dead onto the stony ground of the Highlands a fraction of a moment later. "He's but one yet fights like a score!"

A third soldier attempted to attack, and Olberic ended that life just as swiftly. Another member of the enemy faction stepped forward, breathing heavily from the exertion that came with combat. "Gods have mercy... That's the Unbending Blade of Hornburg! Olberic Eisenberg!" the soldier cried out, panic seeping into his voice quickly and frantically. 

Olberic didn't care much for these formalities, and so, he simply leveled his sword in the direction of his enemies. "You know my name, and so, to business. Who will be the next to die?!" he cried out. He had to defend his homeland above all else, and he refused to yield in the face of those who would dare to harm the territory that he had come to treasure so dearly. 

"It's you who will be dying! Look about you--we have the numbers!" the leading soldier cried out, gesturing to the five other soldiers that still remained tall and proud before Olberic. All of them steeled themselves for the coming clash at those words, understanding the command that was bound to follow. 

"Enemy reinforcements on the left flank!" came the cry of another soldier that stepped forward from the crowd. Olberic didn't dare to look over his shoulder, but he could tell by the telltale echoes of footfall that reached his ears that his foe was correct. He would recognize the sound of his allies arriving at his side anywhere.